DOCTRINAL STATEMENT, WHAT DOES YOUR CHURCH TEACH?

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT, WHAT DOES YOUR CHURCH TEACH?

WHAT WE TEACH

Doctrinal Statement of Grace Community Church
copyright 1986 by Grace Community Church All Rights Reserved
Printed in the United States
Grace Community Church 13248 Roscoe Boulevard Sun Valley,
California 91352 (818) 782 5920

PREFACE

Recognizing that the Bible is the very word of the Living God to
man, and understanding the priority of knowing and obeying its
truths, the elders at Grace Community Church are deeply committed
to studying and teaching Scripture with diligence and authority.
Thus, the central ministry of Grace Church is the continuous
imparting of biblical truth to the people of God that they may
know God and serve Him in worship and ministry.

This booklet presents the elders' convictions regarding the major
theological truths of the Bible, built on years of study and
teaching. These are the primary doctrines of the Christian faith,
and they reflect the heart of the teaching here at Grace Church.

John MacArthur, Jr. Pastor-Teacher


THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

We teach that the Bible is God's written revelation to man, and
thus the sixty six books of the Bible given to us by the Holy
Spirit constitute the plenary (inspired equally in all parts) Word
of God (1 Corinthians 2:7 14; 2 Peter 1:20 21).

We teach that the Word of God is an objective, propositional
revelation (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13), verbally
inspired in every word (2 Timothy 3:16), absolutely inerrant in
the original documents, infallible, and God breathed. We teach the
literal, grammatical historical interpretation of Scripture which
affirms the belief that the opening chapters of Genesis present
creation in six literal days (Genesis 1:31; Exodus 31:17).
We teach that the Bible constitutes the only infallible rule of
faith and practice (Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 16:12 13;
17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15 17; Hebrews 4:12; 2
Peter 1:20 21).

We teach that God spoke in His written Word by a process of dual
authorship. The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors
that, through their individual personalities and different styles
of writing, they composed and recorded God's Word to man (2 Peter
1:20 21) without error in the whole or in the part (Matthew 5:18;
2 Timothy 3:16).

We teach that, whereas there may be several applications of any
given passage of Scripture, there is but one true interpretation.
The meaning of Scripture is to be found as one diligently applies
the literal grammatical historical method of interpretation under
the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit (John 7:17; 16:12 15; 1
Corinthians 2:7 15; 1 John 2:20). It is the responsibility of
believers to ascertain carefully the true intent and meaning of
Scripture, recognizing that proper application is binding on all
generations. Yet the truth of Scripture stands in judgment of men;
never do men stand in judgment of it.

GOD

We teach that there is but one living and true God (Deuteronomy
6:4; Isaiah 45:5 7; 1 Corinthians 8:4), an infinite, all knowing
Spirit (John 4:24), perfect in all His attributes, one in essence,
eternally existing in three Persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
(Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)-each equally deserving
worship and obedience.

God the Father

We teach that God the Father, the first Person of the Trinity,
orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and
grace (Psalm 145:8 9; 1 Corinthians 8:6). He is the Creator of all
things (Genesis 1:1 31; Ephesians 3:9). As the only absolute and
omnipotent Ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation,
providence, and redemption (Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36). His
fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and
His relationship with mankind. As Creator He is Father to all men
(Ephesians 4:6), but He is spiritual Father only to believers
(Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18). He has decreed for His own
glory all things that come to pass (Ephesians 1:11). He
continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events
(1 Chronicles 29:11). In His sovereignty He is neither author nor
approver of sin (Habakkuk 1:13; John 8:38 47), nor does He abridge
the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures (1 Peter 1:17).
He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would
have as His own (Ephesians 1:4 6); He saves from sin all who come
to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as his own all those who
come to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own
(John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5 9).

God the Son

We teach that Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity,
possesses all the divine excellencies, and in these He is coequal,
consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father (John 10:30; 14:9).
We teach that God the Father created according to His own will,
through His Son, Jesus Christ, by whom all things continue in
existence and in operation (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15 17; Hebrews
1:2).

We teach that in the incarnation (God becoming man) Christ
surrendered only the prerogatives of deity but nothing of the
divine essence, either in degree or kind. In His incarnation, the
eternally existing second Person of the Trinity accepted all the
essential characteristics of humanity and so became the God Man
(Philippians 2:5 8; Colossians 2:9).

We teach that Jesus Christ represents humanity and deity in
indivisible oneness (Micah 5:2; John 5:23; 14:9 10; Colossians
2:9).

We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ was virgin born (Isaiah 7:14;
Matthew 1:23, 25; Luke 1:26 35); that He was God incarnate (John
1:1, 14); and that the purpose of the incarnation was to reveal
God, redeem men, and rule over God's kingdom (Psalm 2:7 9; Isaiah
9:6; John 1:29; Philippians 2:9 11; Hebrews 7:25 26; 1 Peter 1:18
19).

We teach that, in the incarnation, the second person of the
Trinity laid aside His right to the full prerogatives of
coexistence with God, assumed the place of a Son, and took on an
existence appropriate to a servant while never divesting Himself
of His divine attributes (Philippians 2:5 8).

We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption
through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the
cross and that His death was voluntary, vicarious,
substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive (John 10:15; Romans
3:24 25; 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24).

We teach that on the basis of the efficacy of the death of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the believing sinner is freed from the
punishment, the penalty, the power, and one day the very presence
of sin; and that he is declared righteous, given eternal life, and
adopted into the family of God (Romans 3:25; 5:8 9; 2 Corinthians
5:14 15; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18).

We teach that our justification is made sure by His literal,
physical resurrection from the dead and that He is now ascended to
the right hand of the Father, where He now mediates as our
Advocate and High Priest (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38 39; Acts 2:30
31; Romans 4:25; 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1).

We teach that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave,
God confirmed the deity of His Son and gave proof that God has
accepted the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Jesus' bodily
resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life
for all believers (John 5:26 29; 14:19; Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:5 10;
1 Corinthians 15:20, 23).

We teach that Jesus Christ will return to receive the church,
which is His Body, unto Himself at the rapture, and returning with
His church in glory, will establish His millennial kingdom on
earth (Acts 1:9 11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 18; Revelation 20).

We teach that the Lord Jesus Christ is the One through whom God
will judge all mankind (John 5:22 23):

a. Believers (1 Corinthians 3:10 15; 2 Corinthians 5:10)

b. Living inhabitants of the earth at His glorious return (Matthew
25:31 46)

c. Unbelieving dead at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11
15)

As the Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), the Head of
His Body the church (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18), and
the coming universal King, who will reign on the throne of David
(Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:31 33), He is the final Judge of all who fail
to place their trust in Him as Lord and Savior (Matthew 25:14 46;
Acts 17:30 31).

God the Holy Spirit

We teach that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, eternal,
underived, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity
including intellect (1 Corinthians 2:10 13), emotions (Ephesians
4:30), will (1 Corinthians 12:11), eternality (Hebrews 9:14),
omnipresence (Psalm 139:7 10), omniscience (Isaiah 40:13 14),
omnipotence (Romans 15:13), and truthfulness (John 16:13). In all
the divine attributes He is coequal and consubstantial with the
Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3 4; 28:25 26; 1
Corinthians 12:4 6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; and Jeremiah 31:31 34
with Hebrews 10:15 17).

We teach that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to execute the
divine will with relation to all mankind. We recognize His
sovereign activity in creation (Genesis 1:2), the incarnation
(Matthew 1:18), the written revelation (2 Peter 1:20 21), and the
work of salvation (John 3:5 7).

We teach that the work of the Holy Spirit in this age began at
Pentecost when He came from the Father as promised by Christ (John
14:16 17; 15:26) to initiate and complete the building of the Body
of Christ, which is His church (1 Corinthians 12:13). The broad
scope of His divine activity includes convicting the world of sin,
of righteousness, and of judgment; glorifying the Lord Jesus
Christ and transforming believers into the image of Christ (John
16:7 9; Acts 1:5; 2:4; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians
2:22).

We teach that the Holy Spirit is the supernatural and sovereign
Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the Body of
Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Holy Spirit also indwells,
sanctifies, instructs, empowers them for service, and seals them
unto the day of redemption (Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 3:6;
Ephesians 1:13).

We teach that the Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher, who guided
the apostles and prophets into all truth as they committed to
writing God's revelation, the Bible. Every believer possesses the
indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of
salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to
be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit (John 16:13; Romans 8:9;
Ephesians 5:18; 2 Peter 1:19 21; 1 John 2:20, 27).

We teach that the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the
church. The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by
ostentatious displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing
His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the
most holy faith (John 16:13 14; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4 11; 2
Corinthians 3:18).

We teach, in this respect, that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign
in the bestowing of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints
today and that speaking in tongues and the working of sign
miracles in the beginning days of the church were for the purpose
of pointing to and authenticating the apostles as revealers of
divine truth, and were never intended to be characteristic of the
lives of believers (1 Corinthians 12:4 11; 13:8 10; 2 Corinthians
12:12; Ephesians 4:7 12; Hebrews 2:1 4).

MAN

We teach that man was directly and immediately created by God in
His image and likeness. Man was created free of sin with a
rational nature, intelligence, volition, self determination, and
moral responsibility to God (Genesis 2:7, 15 25; James 3:9).

We teach that God's intention in the creation of man was that man
should glorify God, enjoy God's fellowship, live his life in the
will of God, and by this accomplish God's purpose for man in the
world (Isaiah 43:7; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11).

We teach that in Adam's sin of disobedience to the revealed will
and Word of God, man lost his innocence; incurred the penalty of
spiritual and physical death; became subject to the wrath of God;
and became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or
doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace.
With no recuperative powers to enable him to recover himself, man
is hopelessly lost. Man's salvation is thereby wholly of God's
grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ
(Genesis 2:16 17; 3:1 19; John 3:36; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1
Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1 3; 1 Timothy 2:13 14; 1 John 1:8).

We teach that because all men were in Adam, a nature corrupted by
Adam's sin has been transmitted to all men of all ages, Jesus
Christ being the only exception. All men are thus sinners by
nature, by choice, and by divine declaration (Psalm 14:1 3;
Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:9 18, 23; 5:10 12).

SALVATION

We teach that salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of
the redemption of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and
not on the basis of human merit or works (John 1:12; Ephesians
1:7; 2:8 10; 1 Peter 1:18 19).

Regeneration

We teach that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy
Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given (John
3:3 7; Titus 3:5). It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely
by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the
Word of God (John 5:24), when the repentant sinner, as enabled by
the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of
salvation. Genuine regeneration is manifested by fruits worthy of
repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct.
Good works will be its proper evidence and fruit (1 Corinthians
6:19 20; Ephesians 2:10), and will be experienced to the extent
that the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit in his
life through faithful obedience to the Word of God (Ephesians 5:17
21; Philippians 2:12b; Colossians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:4 10). This
obedience causes the believer to be increasingly conformed to the
image of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Such a
conformity is climaxed in the believer's glorification at Christ's
coming (Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:2 3).

Election

We teach that election is the act of God by which, before the
foundation of the world, He chose in Christ those whom He
graciously regenerates, saves, and sanctifies (Romans 8:28 30;
Ephesians 1:4 11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter
1:1 2).

We teach that sovereign election does not contradict or negate the
responsibility of man to repent and trust Christ as Savior and
Lord (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11; John 3:18 19, 36; 5:40; Romans
9:22 23; 2 Thessalonians 2:10 12; Revelation 22:17). Nevertheless,
since sovereign grace includes the means of receiving the gift of
salvation as well as the gift itself, sovereign election will
result in what God determines. All whom the Father calls to
Himself will come in faith and all who come in faith the Father
will receive (John 6:37 40, 44; Acts 13:48; James 4:8).

We teach that the unmerited favor that God grants to totally
depraved sinners is not related to any initiative of their own
part nor to God's anticipation of what they might do by their own
will, but is solely of His sovereign grace and mercy (Ephesians
1:4 7; Titus 3:4 7; 1 Peter 1:2).

We teach that election should not be looked upon as based merely
on abstract sovereignty. God is truly sovereign but He exercises
this sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, especially
His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love
(Romans 9:11 16). This sovereignty will always exalt the will of
God in a manner totally consistent with His character as revealed
in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:25 28; 2 Timothy
1:9).

Justification

We teach that justification before God is an act of God (Romans
8:33) by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in
Christ, repent of their sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18;
Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Isaiah 55:6 7) and confess Him as
sovereign Lord (Romans 10:9 10; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians
4:5; Philippians 2:11). This righteousness is apart from any
virtue or work of man (Romans 3:20; 4:6) and involves the
imputation of our sins to Christ (Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24)
and the imputation of Christ's righteousness to us (1 Corinthians
1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). By this means God is enabled to "be
just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Romans
3:26).

Sanctification

We teach that every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by
justification and is therefore declared to be holy and is
therefore identified as a saint. This sanctification is positional
and instantaneous and should not be confused with progressive
sanctification. This sanctification has to do with the believer's
standing, not his present walk or condition (Acts 20:32; 1
Corinthians 1:2, 30; 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 2:11;
3:1; 10:10, 14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2).

We teach that there is also by the work of the Holy Spirit a
progressive sanctification by which the state of the believer is
brought closer to the standing the believer positionally enjoys
through justification. Through obedience to the Word of God and
the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to live a
life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will of God,
becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:17,19;
Romans 6:1 22; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3 4; 5:23).
In this respect, we teach that every saved person is involved in a
daily conflict-the new creation in Christ doing battle against the
flesh-but adequate provision is made for victory through the power
of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The struggle nevertheless stays
with the believer all through this earthly life and is never
completely ended. All claims to the eradication of sin in this
life are unscriptural. Eradication of sin is not possible, but the
Holy Spirit does provide for victory over sin (Galatians 5:16 25;
Ephesians 4:22 24; Philippians 3:12; Colossians 3:9 10; 1 Peter
1:14 16; 1 John 3:5 9).

Security

We teach that all the redeemed once saved are kept by God's power
and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 5:24; 6:37 40; 10:27
30; Romans 5:9 10; 8:1, 31 39; 1 Corinthians 1:4 8; Ephesians
4:30; Hebrews 7:25; 13:5; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24).
We teach that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the
assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word,
which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an
occasion for sinful living and carnality (Romans 6:15 22; 13:13
14; Galatians 5:13, 25 26; Titus 2:11 14).

Separation

We teach that separation from sin is clearly called for throughout
the Old and New Testaments, and that the Scriptures clearly
indicate that in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall
increase (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1 5).

We teach that out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of
God granted to us and because our glorious God is so worthy of our
total consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as
to demonstrate our adoring love to God and so as not to bring
reproach upon our Lord and Savior. We also teach that separation
from all religious apostasy and worldly and sinful practices is
commanded of us by God (Romans 12:1 2, 1 Corinthians 5:9 13; 2
Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:15 17; 2 John 9 11).

We teach that believers should be separated unto our Lord Jesus
Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:11 12; Hebrews 12:1 2) and affirm that
the Christian life is a life of obedient righteousness that
reflects the teaching of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2 12) and a
continual pursuit of holiness (Romans 12:1 2; 2 Corinthians 7:1;
Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2:11 14; 1 John 3:1 10).

THE CHURCH

We teach that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are
immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual
Body, the church (1 Corinthians 12:12 13), the bride of Christ (2
Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23 32; Revelation 19:7 8), of which
Christ is the Head (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18).

We teach that the formation of the church, the Body of Christ,
began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1 21, 38 47) and will be
completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the rapture (1
Corinthians 15:51 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 18).

We teach that the church is thus a unique spiritual organism
designed by Christ, made up of all born again believers in this
present age (Ephesians 2:11 3:6). The church is distinct from
Israel (1 Corinthians 10:32), a mystery not revealed until this
age (Ephesians 3:1 6; 5:32).

We teach that the establishment and continuity of local churches
is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures
(Acts 14:23, 27; 20:17, 28; Galatians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; 1
Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1) and that the members of
the one spiritual Body are directed to associate themselves
together in local assemblies (1 Corinthians 11:18 20; Hebrews
10:25).

We teach that the one supreme authority for the church is Christ
(1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18) and that
church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all
appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. The
biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the
assembly are elders (also called bishops, pastors, and pastor
teachers; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11) and deacons, both of whom
must meet biblical qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1 13; Titus 1:5 9;
1 Peter 5:1 5). We teach that these leaders lead or rule as
servants of Christ (1 Timothy 5:17 22) and have His authority in
directing the church. The congregation is to submit to their
leadership (Hebrews 13:7, 17).

We teach the importance of discipleship (Matthew 28:19 20; 2
Timothy 2:2), mutual accountability of all believers to each other
(Matthew 18:5 14), as well as the need for discipline of sinning
members of the congregation in accord with the standards of
Scripture (Matthew 18:15 22; Acts 5:1 11; 1 Corinthians 5:1 13; 2
Thessalonians 3:6 15; 1 Timothy 1:19 20; Titus 1:10 16).

We teach the autonomy of the local church, free from any external
authority or control, with the right of self government and
freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or
organizations (Titus 1:5). We teach that it is scriptural for true
churches to cooperate with each other for the presentation and
propagation of the faith. Each local church, however, through its
elders and their interpretation and application of Scripture,
should be the sole judge of the measure and method of its
cooperation. The elders should determine all other matters of
membership, policy, discipline, benevolence, and government as
well (Acts 15:19 31; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 5:4 7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1
4).

We teach that the purpose of the church is to glorify God
(Ephesians 3:21) by building itself up in the faith (Ephesians
4:13 16), by instruction of the Word (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16 17),
by fellowship (Acts 2:47; 1 John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances
(Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38 42) and by advancing and communicating the
gospel to the entire world (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; 2:42).

We teach the calling of all saints to the work of service (1
Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 4:12; Revelation 22:12).

We teach the need of the church to cooperate with God as He
accomplishes His purpose in the world. To that end, He gives the
church spiritual gifts. First, He gives men chosen for the purpose
of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians
4:7 12), and He also gives unique and special spiritual abilities
to each member of the Body of Christ (Romans 12:5 8; 1 Corinthians
12:4 31; 1 Peter 4:10 11).

We teach that there were two kinds of gifts given the early
church: miraculous gifts of divine revelation and healing, given
temporarily in the apostolic era for the purpose of confirming the
authenticity of the apostles' message (Hebrews 2:3 4; 2
Corinthians 12:12); and ministering gifts, given to equip
believers for edifying one another. With the New Testament
revelation now complete, Scripture becomes the sole test of the
authenticity of a man's message, and confirming gifts of a
miraculous nature are no longer necessary to validate a man or his
message (1 Corinthians 13:8 12). Miraculous gifts can even be
counterfeited by Satan so as to deceive even believers (1
Corinthians 13:13-14:12; Revelation 13:13 14). The only gifts in
operation today are those nonrevelatory equipping gifts given for
edification (Romans 12:6 8). We teach that no one possesses the
gift of healing today but that God does hear and answer the prayer
of faith and will answer in accordance with His own perfect will
for the sick, suffering, and afflicted (Luke 18:1 6; John 5:7 9; 2
Corinthians 12:6 10; James 5:13 16; 1 John 5:14 15).

We teach that two ordinances have been committed to the local
church: baptism and the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:38 42). Christian
baptism by immersion (Acts 8:36 39) is the solemn and beautiful
testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified,
buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin
and resurrection to a new life (Romans 6:1 11). It is also a sign
of fellowship and identification with the visible Body of Christ
(Acts 2:41 42).

We teach that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration and
proclamation of His death until He comes, and should be always
preceded by solemn self examination (1 Corinthians 11:28 32). We
also teach that whereas the elements of Communion are only
representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, the Lord's Supper
is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ who is
present in a unique way, fellowshipping with His people (1
Corinthians 10:16).

ANGELS

Holy Angels

We teach that angels are created beings and are therefore not to
be worshiped. Although they are a higher order of creation than
man, they are created to serve God and to worship Him (Luke 2:9
14; Hebrews 1:6 7, 14; 2:6 7; Revelation 5:11 14; 19:10; 22:9).

Fallen Angels

We teach that Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He
incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator
(Isaiah 14:12 17; Ezekiel 28:11 19), by taking numerous angels
with him in his fall (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:1 14), and by
introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve
(Genesis 3:1 15).

We teach that Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man
(Isaiah 14:13 14; Matthew 4:1 11; Revelation 12:9 10); the prince
of this world, who has been defeated through the death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:20); and that he shall be
eternally punished in the lake of fire (Isaiah 14:12 17; Ezekiel
28:11 19; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).

LAST THINGS (Eschatology)

Death

We teach that physical death involves no loss of our immaterial
consciousness (Revelation 6:9 11), that the soul of the redeemed
passes immediately into the presence of Christ (Luke 23:43;
Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8), that there is a separation
of soul and body (Philippians 1:21 24), and that, for the
redeemed, such separation will continue until the rapture (1
Thessalonians 4:13 17), which initiates the first resurrection
(Revelation 20:4 6), when our soul and body will be reunited to be
glorified forever with our Lord (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians
15:35 44, 50 54). Until that time, the souls of the redeemed in
Christ remain in joyful fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ (2
Corinthians 5:8).

We teach the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal
life (John 6:39; Romans 8:10 11, 19 23; 2 Corinthians 4:14), and
the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Daniel 12:2;
John 5:29; Revelation 20:13 15).

We teach that the souls of the unsaved at death are kept under
punishment until the second resurrection (Luke 16:19 26;
Revelation 20:13 15), when the soul and the resurrection body will
be united (John 5:28 29). They shall then appear at the Great
White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:11 15) and shall be cast into
hell, the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41 46), cut off from the life
of God forever (Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:41 46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7
9).

The Rapture of the Church

We teach the personal, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ
before the seven year tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Titus
2:13) to translate His church from this earth (John 14:1 3; 1
Corinthians 15:51 53; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:11) and, between this
event and His glorious return with His saints, to reward believers
according to their works (1 Corinthians 3:11 15; 2 Corinthians
5:10).

The Tribulation Period

We teach that immediately following the removal of the church from
the earth (John 14:1 3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 18) the righteous
judgments of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world
(Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 9:27; 12:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:7 12;
Revelation 16), and that these judgments will be climaxed by the
return of Christ in glory to the earth (Matthew 24:27 31; 25:31
46; 2 Thessalonians 2:7 12). At that time the Old Testament and
tribulation saints will be raised and the living will be judged
(Daniel 12:2 3; Revelation 20:4 6). This period includes the
seventieth week of Daniel's prophecy (Daniel 9:24 27; Matthew
24:15 31; 25:31 46). The Second Coming and the Millennial Reign

We teach that, after the tribulation period, Christ will come to
earth to occupy the throne of David (Matthew 25:31; Luke 1:31 33;
Acts 1:10 11; 2:29 30) and establish His messianic kingdom for a
thousand years on the earth (Revelation 20:1 7). During this time
the resurrected saints will reign with Him over Israel and all the
nations of the earth (Ezekiel 37:21 28; Daniel 7:17 22; Revelation
19:11 16). This reign will be preceded by the overthrow of the
Antichrist and the False Prophet, and by the removal of Satan from
the world (Daniel 7:17 27; Revelation 20:1 7).

We teach that the kingdom itself will be the fulfillment of God's
promise to Israel (Isaiah 65:17 25; Ezekiel 37:21 28; Zechariah
8:1 17) to restore them to the land which they forfeited through
their disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15 68). The result of their
disobedience was that Israel was temporarily set aside (Matthew
21:43; Romans 11:1 26) but will again be awakened through
repentance to enter into the land of blessing (Jeremiah 31:31 34;
Ezekiel 36:22 32; Romans 11:25 29).

We teach that this time of our Lord's reign will be characterized
by harmony, justice, peace, righteousness, and long life (Isaiah
11; 65:17 25; Ezekiel 36:33 38), and will be brought to an end
with the release of Satan (Revelation 20:7).

The Judgment of the Lost

We teach that following the release of Satan after the thousand
year reign of Christ (Revelation 20:7), Satan will deceive the
nations of the earth and gather them to battle against the saints
and the beloved city, at which time Satan and his army will be
devoured by fire from heaven (Revelation 20:9). Following this,
Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone (Matthew
25:41; Revelation 20:10) whereupon Christ, who is the Judge of all
men (John 5:22), will resurrect and judge the great and small at
the Great White Throne judgment.

We teach that this resurrection of the unsaved dead to judgment
will be a physical resurrection, whereupon receiving their
judgment (Romans 14:10 13), they will be committed to an eternal
conscious punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41;
Revelation 20:11 15).

Eternity

We teach that after the closing of the millennium, the temporary
release of Satan, and the judgment of unbelievers (2 Thessalonians
1:9; Revelation 20:7 15), the saved will enter the eternal state
of glory with God, after which the elements of this earth are to
be dissolved (2 Peter 3:10) and replaced with a new earth wherein
only righteousness dwells (Ephesians 5:5; Revelation 20:15, 21
22). Following this, the heavenly city will come down out of
heaven (Revelation 21:2) and will be the dwelling place of the
saints, where they will enjoy forever fellowship with God and one
another (John 17:3; Revelation 21-22). Our Lord Jesus Christ,
having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will then deliver up the
kingdom to God the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24 28) that in all
spheres the triune God may reign forever and ever (1 Corinthians
15:28).


How to Become a Christian

Admit your sinful ways and desire to turn from them and be
delivered from the judgment they bring (Romans 3:10, 23; Acts
3:19).

Acknowledge what Christ did for sinners on the cross, which was
confirmed by His resurrection from the dead (Romans 5:8; John
11:25).

Receive Him as the only means of eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-9;
John 1:12; 6:40).

Appropriate His rightful claim as Lord of your life (Romans 10:9;
Philippians 2:10-11).

Placing your faith in Christ is a personal commitment between you
and God, but we would like the joy of praying with you and
assisting you in this eternally significant matter. If you make
this commitment, or desire to know more about it, please call the
church office or come to the Prayer Room in the front of the
Worship Center at the closing of any of our services. We are here
to help you.

If you have questions or would
like to speak with one of our pastors,
please call the church at (818) 782-5920

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